“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”

John Muir said it best. America’s most famous naturalist and conservationist, and Father of the National Park Service, Muir fought to protect the wild places he loved. Thanks to Muir’s passion for the great outdoors, today we are celebrating100 years of ongoing preservation and conservation of our nation’s grandest natural sites.

In addition to Mr. Muir, let’s give a shout out to few other noteworthy people:

• Ulysses S. Grant signed the Act establishing Yellowstone as the very first National Park back in 1872!

• President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service 100 years ago on August 25, 1916.

• President Teddy Roosevelt created 5 National Parks and 18 National Monuments, including the Grand Canyon! Teddy camped Yosemite’s backcountry with the ultimate guide John Muir. This partnership was responsible for the inclusion of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park.

• Ansel Adams, a photographer and environmentalist, used the American West as his muse. We can thank him for capturing the romance of the our National parks, most famously, Yosemite National Park, before tourism took over. Between Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes is Ansel Adams Wilderness, re-named in 1984 to honor Ansel for his persistent advocacy of the nation's untouched wilderness.

Here's to you, National Park Services - Thanks for 100 Years of wild beauty!

Some of the world’s most jaw-dropping natural wonders are tucked away among our country’s 59 recognized National Parks, many of which are just a short drive from Los Angeles, CA – home to The Creative Pack studio. It's no secret, retreating to nature feeds the creative soul. To celebrate and honor the 2016 National Park Service Centennial, each of us shared our own National Park story. We asked ourselves: 'Why do you love National Parks?'

FERN:

Most of my experiences in National Parks seem to have a spiritual effect on my soul. Maybe it’s partly nature, the wonder of the collection of elements absorbing the stillness, the rapture of visual inflow feeding colors and shapes. It’s the order of nature, a law governed by the rhythm of cosmic flow - think of it! Millions of people go there and leave a deposit of good energy, makes me wonder, a lot.

FAVORITE PARK: Joshua Tree National Park

BUCKET LIST PARK: Grand Tetons National Park

PAOLA:

Because they are awesome!! It’s a place of discovery, new adventures… it’s where we get to be kids once again, little explorers of nature and wonder! I love climbing up to high places or going to big open areas and quiet down, taking it all in. It’s hard not to take a step back and just admire the greatness of nature.

FAVORITE PARK: If I had to pick one, it would be Yellowstone National Park, the very first national park of all.

BUCKET LIST PARK: Crater Lake National Park, OR. Also last year, I visited the Glacier National Park, but due to heavy snow, we couldn’t explore much, so that’s a place I definitely want to go back! I really want to do the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

EMMA:

I am a lover of both traveling and nature so I think National Parks are some of the best things ever because it preserves some of the most beautiful areas in the US forever! It always amazes how beautiful the world is, and how things like mountains, bodies of water, trees just exist. There is a certain calmness that comes a long with that. I am so happy that we as a society care enough to preserve these areas and that we also respect and support these parks.

FAVORITE PARK: My favorite was probably Zion because of the incredible red rocks contrasting the greenery.

BUCKET LIST PARK: I really want to go to Crater Lake in Oregon. It just looks so big, blue and beautiful. Also I just discovered a national park called American Samoa, which is part of the American territory of the Samoan islands. The pictures were beautiful and made me think of the ultimate tropical getaway.

DANIELLE:

I love the beauty surrounding you at a national park and the freedom you feel when you are outdoors exploring. It's always a memorable experience.

FAVORITE PARK: Yosemite National Park, hands down!

BUCKET LIST PARK: Zion National Park in Utah

HEATHER:

I love them because they’ve given me countless memories in the some of the most magical settings. I’d say 80% of our family vacations were visiting some kind of National Park, Monument, Seashore, etc. We roadtripped everywhere as a family, in our big teal Astro Van. One summer our family drove 'out west' from Pennsylvania and did a grand tour of as many national parks we could squeeze into a month. Fast forward to adulthood, I spent most of my twenties exploring the western US and all the parks I hadn't made it to as a kid with my then boyfriend - sleeping in the car, living off granola bars & coffee. But July of 2015 was by far the most adventurous. We hiked the JMT as a couple, starting in Yosemite National Park, finishing just weeks before our September wedding - held in Joshua Tree National Park, under an almost blood moon! I was missing a toenail on my wedding day but was filled to the brim with happiness. Each national park has a unique story, like a person, and so I can’t wait to meet the next one!

FAVORITE PARK: Crater Lake & Yosemite - if I have to choose, I prefer woodsy terrain over all others - Fresh water, large wildlife, green meadows. I would live there if I could! But there's no permit for that.

BUCKET LIST PARK:Denali - the ultimate woodsy destination!

COREY:

Growing up in rural Oregon meant a lot of time spent in the outdoors. We visited Crater lake often as kids, so its a very special place to me. I still live and breathe an outdoor lifestyle. I even married an ocean lifeguard! Every chance we get, we're outside. We're grateful to have so many National Parks, Forests, Beaches, etc. close by because it's the absolute best way to unwind and vacation with family!

FAVORITE PARK: Crater Lake

BUCKET LIST PARK: Would love to visit Zion or Yellowstone someday

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”

- John Muir

What did we learn from this National Park exploration? We’ve got some true mother-nature junkies on our team. And it sounds like we need to take a team trip to Crater Lake in the near future! So now it’s your turn. Enjoy free admission to all 412 nationally protected areas from August 25 through August 28! Get up, get out there, and find your park!